Lab Animal Care Technician-N

Rutgers University; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 39,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Rutgers University-Newark seeks a Lab Animal Care Technician-N in the Office for Research. The role covers animal care, facility maintenance, and compliance with welfare regulations across colony rooms.

Includes daily observation, feeding, and humane handling, working in a full-time on-site capacity with potential weekend work as needed. Requires high school education and valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Ability to record and maintain data in computerized and non-computerized formats.
• Ability to read, write, follow instructions and communicate in English.
• Two years driving experience and completion of Rutgers Defensive Driving Course.

Responsibilities

• Provide care, feeding, transport, and daily observation for animal species used in research and teaching.
• Maintain animal facilities and ensure humane care.
• Report performance and monitor animal welfare per regulations.
• Record daily census and assist with protocols related to colony rooms.

Skills

Data recording

English communication

Driving

Rutgers Defensive Driving Course

Education

High school/vocational education or equivalent

AALAS ALAT (preferred)

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

• To apply, an application or resume must be submitted no later than 9:00 a.m. on Friday, May 25. Although AFSCME Local 1761 (COLT) members have priority consideration, outside applications are accepted as well.

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title

Job Category

Job Category AFSCME 1761 (COLT)

Department

Department Operations

Overview

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the State of New Jersey’s preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. As one of the largest employers in the State of New Jersey, Rutgers University is committed not only to the students and the State that we serve, but also to the faculty and staff who work on our campuses.

For two consecutive years, Rutgers is ranked on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Large Employers. Rutgers holds #64 of 500 employers and is the #1 New Jersey employer on the publication’s 2023 list. Rutgers’ commitment to its employees includes maintaining and fostering a safe, diverse, and respectful workplace environment, creating employment opportunities for our nation’s military veterans, and ensuring accessibility and accommodation for individuals with disabilities.

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Lab Animal Care Technician for the Office for Research.
The Office for Research’s mission is to support the research, scholarship, and creative endeavors of all Rutgers faculty. The Office accomplishes its mission by convening with academic and research leaders, providing integrated, user-focused resources, services, and tools, and partnering with faculty.

Among the key duties of the position are the following:

• Provides diversified care, feeding, transportation, and daily observation for all animal species used in research and teaching.
• Coordinates and assists in the general maintenance of the facilities.
• Ensures the humane care and treatment of the animals.
• Performs daily maintenance of multiple animal colony rooms to be in compliance with animal welfare regulations, university and CMR policies.
• Reports performance of animal husbandry and monitors procedures with special attention to the needs of virus free species, observing and reporting signs of illness, injury or distress in animals.
• Interacts with their supervisor regarding needs of individual research projects and PI’s and will become familiar with all project protocols as it relates to daily husbandry needs of the colony rooms they maintain.
• Ensures areas of noncompliance with regulations are reported; daily animal census is recorded and performs euthanasia when instructed.

FLSA

FLSA Nonexempt

Grade

Grade 12

Salary Details

Minimum Salary

Minimum Salary 38666.790

Mid Range Salary 45307.460

Maximum Salary

Maximum Salary 52219.580

Offer Information

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university’s broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Position Status

Position Status Full Time

Working Hours

Standard Hours

Standard Hours 40.00

Daily Work Shift

Daily Work Shift Day

Work Arrangement

This position requires a fully on-site work arrangement.

Union Description

Union Description AFSCME - Local 1761 COLT

Payroll Designation

Payroll Designation PeopleSoft

Seniority Unit

Terms of Appointment

Terms of Appointment Staff - 12 month

Position Pension Eligibility

Position Pension Eligibility PERS

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• High school/vocational school education or equivalent, and the ability and willingness to work with a wide variety of animal species.

Certifications/Licenses

• A valid driver’s license.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to record and maintain data in computerized and non-computerized formats.
• Ability to read, write, follow instructions and communicate in the English language.
• Required to pass pre-employment and periodic physical examinations and to participate in occupational health program for animal workers.
• two years driving experience, and successful completion of the Rutgers Defensive Driving Course.

Preferred Qualifications

• Animal handling experience in a research laboratory environment.
• Certification by American Association for Laboratory Animal Science ( AALAS ) at the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician ( ALAT ) level.
• Two (2) or more years of experience as a Laboratory Animal Caretaker with knowledge of laboratory animals.
• Cage washing equipment, autoclaves, floor scrubbers, chemical mixing stations, dry heat oven, etc. Various computer programs.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to push and pull heavy loads of equipment, twisting of upper trunk, repetitive and overhead lifting.
• May work in cage wash and animal room conditions while wearing safety apparel and personal protective equipment ( PPE ).
• May be bending, stooping, or reaching for long periods of time.
• Ability to stand or walk on hard surfaces for most of the workday, including slippery surfaces.
• The work environment includes potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, and the use of hazardous and restricted chemicals.
• Potential exposure to animal dander, fluids and soiled waste as well as cleaning chemicals.
• Wearing PPE may increase body temperature.

Special Conditions

• Regular workweek may include weekends and/or holidays as needed.
• Safe Driving Record.

Posting Number

Posting Number 26ST1796

Posting Open Date

Posting Open Date 09/17/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants

• To apply, an application or resume must be submitted no later than 9:00 a.m. on Friday, May 25. Although AFSCME Local 1761 ( COLT ) members have priority consideration, outside applications are accepted as well.

Regional Campus

Home Location Campus

City

City Newark

State

State NJ

Position Information Recruitment/Posting Title Lab Animal Care Technician-N Job Category AFSCME 1761 (COLT) Department Operations Overview Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the State of New Jersey’s preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. As one of the largest employers in the State of New Jersey, Rutgers University is committed not only to the students and the State that we serve, but also to the faculty and staff who work on our campuses. For two consecutive years, Rutgers is ranked on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Large Employers. Rutgers holds #64 of 500 employers and is the #1 New Jersey employer on the publication’s 2023 list. Rutgers’ commitment to its employees includes maintaining and fostering a safe, diverse, and respectful workplace environment, creating employment opportunities for our nation’s military veterans, and ensuring accessibility and accommodation for individuals with disabilities. Posting Summary Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Lab Animal Care Technician for the Office for Research. The Office for Research’s mission is to support the research, scholarship, and creative endeavors of all Rutgers faculty. The Office accomplishes its mission by convening with academic and research leaders, providing integrated, user-focused resources, services, and tools, and partnering with faculty. Among the key duties of the position are the following: Provides diversified care, feeding, transportation, and daily observation for all animal species used in research and teaching. Coordinates and assists in the general maintenance of the facilities. Ensures the humane care and treatment of the animals. Performs daily maintenance of multiple animal colony rooms to be in compliance with animal welfare regulations, university and CMR policies. Reports performance of animal husbandry and monitors procedures with special attention to the needs of virus free species, observing and reporting signs of illness, injury or distress in animals. Interacts with their supervisor regarding needs of individual research projects and PI’s and will become familiar with all project protocols as it relates to daily husbandry needs of the colony rooms they maintain. Ensures areas of noncompliance with regulations are reported; daily animal census is recorded and performs euthanasia when instructed. FLSA Nonexempt Grade 12 Salary Details Minimum Salary 38666.790 Mid Range Salary 45307.460 Maximum Salary 52219.580 Offer Information The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university’s broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent. Benefits Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include: Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable) Life insurance coverage Employee discount programs Position Status Full Time Working Hours Standard Hours 40.00 Daily Work Shift Day Work Arrangement This position requires a fully on-site work arrangement. Union Description AFSCME - Local 1761 COLT Payroll Designation PeopleSoft Seniority Unit Terms of Appointment Staff - 12 month Position Pension Eligibility PERS Qualifications Minimum Education and Experience High school/vocational school education or equivalent, and the ability and willingness to work with a wide variety of animal species. Certifications/Licenses A valid driver’s license. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to record and maintain data in computerized and non-computerized formats Ability to read, write, follow instructions and communicate in the English language Required to pass pre-employment and periodic physical examinations and to participate in occupational health program for animal workers two years driving experience, and successful completion of the Rutgers Defensive Driving Course. Preferred Qualifications Animal handling experience in a research laboratory environment. Certification by American Association for Laboratory Animal Science ( AALAS ) at the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician ( ALAT ) level. Two (2) or more years of experience as a Laboratory Animal Caretaker with knowledge of laboratory animals. Cage washing equipment, autoclaves, floor scrubbers, chemical mixing stations, dry heat oven, etc. Various computer programs. Equipment Utilized Cage washing equipment, autoclaves, floor scrubbers, chemical mixing stations, dry heat oven, etc. Various computer programs. Physical Demands and Work Environment Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds. Ability to push and pull heavy loads of equipment, twisting of upper trunk, repetitive and overhead lifting. May work in cage wash and animal room conditions while wearing safety apparel and personal protective equipment ( PPE ). May be bending, stooping, or reaching for long periods of time. Ability to stand or walk on hard surfaces for most of the workday, including slippery surfaces. The work environment includes potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, and the use of hazardous and restricted chemicals. Potential exposure to animal dander, fluids and soiled waste as well as cleaning chemicals. Wearing PPE may increase body temperature. Special Conditions Regular workweek may include weekends and/or holidays as needed. Safe Driving Record. Posting Details Posting Number 26ST1796 Posting Open Date 09/17/2026 Special Instructions to Applicants To apply, an application or resume must be submitted no later than 9:00 a.m. on Friday, May 25. Although AFSCME Local 1761 ( COLT ) members have priority consideration, outside applications are accepted as well. Regional Campus Rutgers University-Newark Home Location Campus Rutgers University-Newark City Newark State NJ Location Details Pre-employment Screenings All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings. Immunization Requirements Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals , if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate’s offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have a minimum of high school/vocational school education or equivalent, and the ability and willingness to work with a wide variety of animal specie?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Are you currently a member of AFSCME 1761 (COLT)?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Documents

• Resume/CV

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• List of Professional References (contact Info)

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of ...

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